Fans lined up to take pictures in front of an inflatable Travis Scott head, as seen in the album art for his latest album "Astroworld," before the rapper's show at Fiserv Forum on Feb. 22, 2019. Piet Levy

The last time Jay-Z played a Milwaukee arena, he opened for 50 Cent. When Eminem was at the Bradley Center in 2000, his most recent Milwaukee show, he shared the bill with Limp Bizkit.

It's been 16 years — an eternity in rap time — since a major hip-hop tour played a Milwaukee arena. But the dry spell finally ended in spectacular fashion Friday night at Fiserv Forum with Travis Scott's "Wish You Were Here" tour.

Time will tell if Scott's accomplishments come anywhere close to reaching Jay-Z and Eminem's legacies. But he's no Limp Bizkit, that's for sure.

And in terms of putting on an explosive live show, he's one of the best in the game, giving his fans at a sold-out Fiserv Forum the ultimate thrill ride.

Scott's touring behind last year's blockbuster album "Astroworld," named after a defunct amusement park in his native Houston, and he really ran with that theme Friday. A few minutes after kicking off his 75-minute set with "Astroworld" song "Stargazing," the first of a handful of lucky fans got to strap themselves in a ride that completed a 360-degree loop in the arena.

The ride was right behind a secondary stage in the back of the arena, where Scott spent the first 20 minutes of his show. But the concert really kicked into high gear when he relocated to the primary stage for back-to-back bangers "Butterfly Effect," "No Bystanders" and "Don't Play."

Scott is certainly tamer than he was in his raucous up-and-coming days, when he even got arrested after encouraging fans to storm the stage during his set at Lollapalooza. But all the pyro — deliriously over the top, even by arena spectacle standards — and Scott's stage command were fair substitutes (much to the relief, no doubt, of the show's security personnel).

Even an intense performer like Scott had to pump the brakes a little bit, but he didn't lose the crowd during a mellower middle section, thanks to the brisk pace between songs and some engaging staging, including live video projected on two giant rectangular curtains that dropped from the ceiling.

There was even one fleeting moment that alluded to the creativity and nuance found on "Astroworld," during "Stop Trying to Be God." As Scott stood still, a white light in the shape of a cross projected over his heart, and his Auto-Tune-drenched voice conveyed for the first time Friday some actual depth and feeling.

The show became a wild roller-coaster ride yet again soon after, with Scott and a fan actually riding a roller coaster suspended about 30 feet over the mob of fans who filled the floor, as Scott performed "Can't Say" and "Antidote."

Scott returned to terra firma and allowed two other fans to cruise on the coaster during "Goosebumps." Then came the main heart-pumping attraction with the biggest hit of his career, the throbbing "Astroworld" single "Sicko Mode," complemented by more fire, an explosion of confetti and animated kids projectile-vomiting on the big screen.

With Scott packing Fiserv Forum, and with hip-hop now the most consumed music genre in the country, it's safe to say we won't have to wait another 16 years for a major hip-hop arena show in Milwaukee.

But whatever comes through next will have a tough time topping the eye-popping production of this one.

An unfortunate opener

Fun as Scott was Friday, the show was also a depressing reminder that the #MeToo movement still hasn't had a seismic effect on the music industry.

Rapper Sheck Wes opened for Scott at Fiserv Forum, after a restraining order reportedly was issued last week preventing him from being within 100 yards of his ex-girlfriend, singer Justine Skye. Skye on Twitter Feb. 11 alleged that Wes "beat women" and called him "my abuser."

Wes responded on Twitter saying, "I never hit or beat any women," and he has not been charged with a crime. Nevertheless, these are serious and disturbing allegations that Scott's team essentially ignored by keeping Wes on the bill.

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Pink brings her "Beautiful Trauma" tour to the new Bucks arena May 2, 2019. She ended a three-year hiatus with a concert at Summerfest's American Family Insurance Amphitheater in 2017 that ended up on the Journal Sentinel's Best Concerts of the Year list. Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cher brings her "Here We Go Again" tour to Fiserv Forum May 12, where the pop superstar is expected to sing her hits across her 55-year-career, and ABBA covers from a new tribute album. Michael McLoone / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Carrie Underwood announced that she was pregnant Wednesday morning in addition to unveiling the itinerary for her "Cry Pretty 360 Tour." It will stop at the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, the Fiserv Forum, June 20. Christopher Polk

After being booked as a Coachella headliner at the last minute, Ariana Grande postponed several dates surrounding her April appearances at the California festival. A show set at Fiserv Forum April 15 has been moved to July 5, opposite Summerfest. Eric Liebowitz / Associated Press

The Milwaukee-born Violent Femmes, co-founded by Gordon Gano (left) and Brian Ritchie (left), was the first band to perform at the new Bucks arena, Fiserv Forum, Sept. 4. Melissa Miller/PTG Live Events

Adam Levine (left) and James Valentine of Maroon 5 perform during "One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert For Disaster Relief" at the Universal Studios Lot on Oct. 14 in Los Angeles. The band will be at the new Bucks arena on Sept. 16, touring in support of its sixth studio album, "Red Pill Blues." Tickets are on sale. Handout, Getty Images

Travis Scott, pictured here headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 2, headlined the first hip-hop show at Fiserv Forum Feb. 22, and the first major hip-hop tour to play a Milwaukee arena in 16 years. Greg Noire / Lollapalooza 2018

The takeaways

Scott's Milwaukee show was supposed to take place Dec. 9 but was postponed due to production issues. It was for the best; the arena was likely more crowded on a Friday night than it would have been on a Sunday in December, and Scott's become a bigger star since then following his recent Super Bowl and Grammy appearances.

Practically everyone at the show Friday was in their teens and 20s, but it was the most diverse crowd Fiserv Forum has had at a concert so far, which was very cool to see.

Despite the show's thrill-a-second style, Scott briefly put the show on pause to offer some lessons for the kids, seemingly delivered from the heart if the "ums" and awkward pauses were any indication. "Try to stay close to your real friends," Scott said. "Always put God first and family first. Never let nobody shatter your dreams."

The moment Scott's set started, a pungent odor of weed filled the tunnel I was waiting in before photographers were permitted to take some pictures. A couple of minutes later, a Fiserv Forum employee came through and practically emptied an entire can of air freshener.

Barron born-and-based country rocker Chris Kroeze will perform in Milwaukee for the first time March 15 at Turner Hall Ballroom since ending up in second place on NBC's "The Voice" last season. $35 to $75. Tyler Golden/NBC

Country superstar Eric Church will perform two distinct shows in Milwaukee March 29 and 30 at Fiserv Forum, performing two sets at both concerts. $79 to $196.33. John Klein / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The 1975 is largely playing arenas and amphitheaters this spring and summer, but it opting for the more intimate Eagles Ballroom at the Rave when it returns to Milwaukee May 10. $67.50 to $77.50. Janelle Rominski/TheRave.com

Following a jubilant set at Summerfest that stood out as one of the Big Gig's best last year, up-and-coming indie pop artist Caroline Rose plays the Back Room at Colectivo Coffee May 11. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

After selling out the Riverside Theater last spring, influential metal band Judas Priest returns to the theater this spring, this time for two shows, May 22 and 23. $59.50 to $99.50. Brianna Griepentrog / Pabst Theater Group

Trumpet player Mike Maher (back row, center) will play the Pabst Theater with jazz fusion jam band Snarky Puppy May 23, the band's first since it started picking up Grammys in 2014 (with three so far to their name). Courtesy of Artist

The 5,6,7,8's, the Japanese rockabilly band that commanded a nice chunk of screen time performing three songs in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill, Vol. 1," will perform at Shank Hall May 28. $20. Courtesy of Shank Hall

George Clinton is kicking off his final tour May 30 at the Miller High Life Theatre. The funk legend's Parliament Funkadelic is touring with Fishbone, Galactic and Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf. $20 to $200. Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel